sturgeon

views updated May 17 2018

sturgeon Large, primitive, bony fish found in temperate fresh and marine waters of the Northern Hemisphere. The ovaries of the female are the source of caviar. It has five series of sharp-pointed scales along its sides, fleshy whiskers and a tapering, snout-like head. Family Acipenseridae; species Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser sturio) length: to 3.3m (11ft), weight: to 272kg (600lb). The Eurasian freshwater sturgeon is also called beluga.

World Encyclopedia

sturgeon

views updated Jun 27 2018

stur·geon / ˈstərjən/ • n. a very large primitive fish (family Acipenseridae) with bony plates on the body. It occurs in temperate seas and rivers of the northern hemisphere, esp. central Eurasia, and is of commercial importance for its caviar and flesh.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

sturgeon

views updated Jun 11 2018

sturgeon White fish of Acipenser spp. See caviar.

A Dictionary of Food and Nutrition DAVID A. BENDER

sturgeon

views updated May 17 2018

sturgeon XIII. — AN. sturgeon, (O)F. estourgeon :- Rom. *sturiōne — Gmc. *sturjan- whence OE. styrġa, etc.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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